Asus is making the ROG friend better . Although the original ROG Ally is one of the best handheld gaming PCs you may buy , the new ROG Ally X amend on the original design in almost every way . It sports good spectacles , better ergonomics , a larger battery , and a newfangled black colorway — but Asus is also asking for more money . The ROG Ally X comes in at $ 800 , while you may often find the original for less than $ 600 .
We ’ve tested both handhelds extensively , as you could register in ourAsus ROG Ally reviewandAsus ROG Ally X reappraisal . The updated ROG Ally X is sure enough a better handheld overall , but it struggles to justify its premium over the original figure .
Specs
Although the specification rag for the ROG Ally X delivers some change , the heart of the cabinet remains the same — as can be expected from something that Asus itself dubs “ not a redesign . ” The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU , with its eight cores , 16 threads , 24 MB of cache , and 12 RDNA 3 cores , has proven sentence and clip again that it ’s a force to be opine with . Of course , if we compare it to theAsus ROG Ally Z1 ( not Extreme ) , it ’s a whole unlike tale ; but now , with the ROG Ally X in the picture , that model makes even less sense to buy . Asus is also said to have change the motherboard in the new model .
The major specification changes include a boost to the retention . The ROG Ally X now serve up 24 GB of RAM instead of 16 GB , and as the APU apply that for both system of rules computer memory and VRAM , the extra capacity provides some functioning advantage . The maximum random memory oftenness has also go up , from 6400MT / s to 7500MT / s. In the performance part below , we ’ll take care at a few games that can leverage the supernumerary computer memory capacity and speed .
The novel ROG Ally X also doubles assault and battery content and expands the SSD , not just up to 1 TB but also up to an M.2 2280 variation , meaning that storage upgrades should get importantly easier — and the handheld itself can sustain up to 8 TB of computer storage . Lastly , Asus heard the call of its customers and supersede theROG XG mobile portwith a USB 4 instead . This change lets you use anexternal GPUif you should care to , and that ’s rive the ROG Ally X into a whole different category .
Pricing and availability
When the Asus ROG Ally ( Z1 Extreme ) hit the ledge on June 13 , 2023 , it was initially price at $ 700 . The not - so - extreme version followed on September 18 , 2023 , with a $ 600 price rag . Since then , both models have gone on sale many time over . While the initial pricing held strong , those sales are the best windows of opportunity for those who want to purchase an ROG Ally handheld .
In the wake of the ROG Ally X , Asus has officially dropped the price of the original example . The ROG Ally with the Z1 Extreme now sells for $ 650 , while the model with the base Z1 sells for $ 500 . In both cases , you’re able to often score these handhelds on sale for $ 100 less , so we urge wait to buy until there ’s a large sale .
The ROG Ally X is more expensive than both of the original models , and by a significant border . It sells for $ 800 , not only outpacing the bag ROG Ally , but alsoits main competitorin the kind of the Steam Deck OLED . As we ’ll dig out into below , the ROG Ally X impart some important improvement over the original ROG Ally . However , you ’ll drop upwards of $ 250 more on the ROG Ally X bet on sales , placing it in a completely different cost level without a significant acclivity to performance .
Design and battery
The design render us that Asus did , indeed , do more than just a svelte refresh along the line of theSteam Deck OLED . The difference is visible at first glimpse , as the redesigned chassis now comes in black ; the other adaptation are more elusive . In the new Asus ROG Ally X , you ’ll find slightly deeper handles , a more rounded overall shape , and a slight change to the arrangement of the buttons and the sticks , bring a slant to the triggers to make them easier to use . The macro buttons on the back have gotten smaller , which , as Asus claims , should help you avoid accidental mechanical press .
Asus has also replaced the joysticks on the ROG Ally X with something rated for much high reliability ; Asus promises a 5 million wheel lifespan here . It also improved the D - domiciliation , adding more - precise eight - direction input . There ’s also been a change in the positioning of rumble motors , and while the speakers stayed the same , the sound chamber got bigger .
In the script , the ROG Ally X is more than the sum of its parts , and that ’s immediately seeming next to the original simulation . The root ROG Ally has a weak D - domiciliation , awful triggers , and loose joysticks . The ROG Ally X addresses these outcome point - for - point , with more underground on the trigger , clicky shoulder joint button , trump triggers , and a much more utile D - launch area . The moment you hold the ROG Ally X in your hands , it becomes clear how far the original model is behind with its feel .
Perhaps the biggest difference between the onetime model to the updated translation lie in the battery life . Asus doubled barrage capability , bring it up to 80 James Watt - 60 minutes , all the while barely lay down a dent in the weight of the gadget , which has buy the farm up to just under 1.5 pounds . You wo n’t always see double the shelling living with the ROG Ally X , but it contract close . The original ROG Ally can die in as little as an hr with a full 30 watts and a demanding game likeCyberpunk 2077.The ROG Ally X live more in the range of an hour and a one-half to two minute , which make for it more in line with the Steam Deck OLED .
Adding thing like electric battery content , a large SSD , and more memory would have meant that the handheld should ’ve gotten bigger — but that is n’t really the causa . The ROG Ally X is 11 % heavier than the original , but that only accounts for an superfluous 67 grams . It ’s also slightly bigger , but Asus distributes the supererogatory sizing in a way that really makes the ROG Ally disco biscuit more well-fixed than the master copy . There ’s a 4.5 mm bump on the handles . With that pernicious variety , you feel like you could throw the ROG Ally X in your fingers . The original theoretical account rests between the pressure of your palms .
To keep the weight similar , Asus had to swap out the fans for new ace that are 23 % smaller than those in the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme . However , through the usage of 50 % thinner fan blades , Asus still promises to rescue improved airflow . Another design change lies in the use of new tunnel that direct melodic line up and out toward an redundant exhaust system blowhole , which , accord to Asus , should provide 24 % more air volume both to the internals and to the touchscreen , lowering temps by up to 6 level Celsius .
In our in clip with the ROG Ally X , it ’s clear Asus did some work on the thermals . The equipment does n’t get well-nigh as loud as it did previously , even under a full load . Temperatures themselves have n’t alter much , however — when campaign a demanding games likeCyberpunk 2077,the ROG Ally X still beget quite hot .
Performance
The ROG Ally and ROG Ally X take the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip , so the performance is largely similar . The ROG Ally X enjoys faster LPDDR5 memory , but more importantly , it comes with 24 GB compared to the ROG Ally ’s 16 GB . Given that computer storage is shared between the GPU and CPU , the ROG Ally X allows you to give the GPU a full 8 gilbert of storage while still leave 16 GB of computer memory for the rest period of the system . The original ROG Ally needs to compromise when 8 GB of store is allocated to the GPU .
Make no fault , the ROG Ally X is riotous than the original ROG Ally . The difference just is n’t always important . you could see in the chart above that the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X supply basically indistinguishable carrying into action inDying Light 2andCyberpunk 2077.Some games , such asStrange BrigadeandHorizon Zero Dawn , appreciate the extra memory , however . In most game , the two devices perform at the same storey . In games that are hungry for the extra memory , however , the ROG Ally X can shoot ahead .
Both the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X can operate between 9 watts and 30W , but Asus has slightly unlike power modes for each gimmick . Here ’s how that dampen down :
Both devices give up you to manually set your power visibility , but the tuning for the default profiles is definitely unspoiled on the ROG Ally X out of the box . you may see how the different mightiness musical mode affect performance in the chart below . execution , Turbo , and plugged in are all grouped tightly together , while Silent is much slower . However , Silent is still a good pick for less demanding 2D games where battery life is paramount .
The Silent modality on the ROG Ally X is definitely more useful out of the box , and my chart with the original ROG Ally ( below ) showcases why . It ’s much too slow to be utile in the vast bulk of game . There ’s also a much spacious gap between Performance and Turbo fashion , sometimes fight it to the higher might mode when it ’s not involve . Again , you’re able to tweak either equipment with a manual magnate fashion , but the ROG Ally X is tuned a mo better out of the box .
When peach stark naked performance , the ROG Ally X win , pass on down . There ’s some nuance to the conversation here , though . The ROG Ally X string up its higher pricing on the back of better overall shape quality , a much bigger barrage fire , and more depot . Performance melioration are a overnice upside , but they are n’t the main rationality to spend more on the ROG Ally X. In many deed , the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X will perform identically , and the original ROG Ally is much inexpensive .
Software
Both the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X run Windows 11 with Asus ’ Armoury Crate SE public-service corporation . Windows 11 allows you to set up just about any biz you want , but it ’s also not built specifically for play like Valve ’s SteamOS . You ’ll have to get your hands dirty with the touch screen from sentence to meter with either the ROG Ally or ROG Ally X , be it to pull up Task Manager , tapdance through a third - party launcher , or force close a game that has lock away up the system .
Asus has massively improved Armoury Crate SE since the the launching of the original ROG Ally , however . gratefully , those are improvement that both the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X enjoy . For starters , the latest Armoury Crate SE is significantly flying . After log into Windows 11 , a inauguration movie will play straightaway , entrust you essentially no clip to see the Windows screen background . It ’s not quite as seamless as the Steam Deck , but Asus is closer than competitors like theMSI Claw .
There are several unexampled features , too . you could accessAMD ’s Fluid Motion Frames ( AFMF)directly from the Armoury Crate overlay now , and you could share control profile with other users . Asus also redesign the library page , give you far more ascendance over how your game seem . The big deal here is that Asus is n’t gate software to the more expensive ROG Ally X , giving owners of the original ROG Ally the same improvements in the computer software experience .
Better, but by how much?
True to Asus ’ parole , the ROG Ally X is an improvement over the original ROG friend in just about every field . The improvements here are collective , however , not single . There are nonaged advantages , from a more or less more comfortable build to occasional public presentation improvement , that add up to make it the serious twist overall . If there ’s anywhere that the ROG Ally X intelligibly leads , it ’s battery liveliness , but that ’s not a high legal community to clear consider the lackluster battery life of the original model .
If Asus had released the ROG Ally X at $ 700 — the original listing price of the ROG Ally — it would be a sweep dunk shot . That ’s not the display case . At $ 800 , the ROG Ally X is at least $ 150 more expensive than the ROG Ally , and often penny-pinching to $ 250 more expensive with how much the original ROG Ally goes on sales agreement . At the moment , with upwards of $ 250 secernate the two , the original ROG Ally provide much more flush for your buck .
That will likely change as both devices start seeing sales and unfastened - box unit make the round . The question then becomes how much extra the ROG Ally X is deserving . Based on our fourth dimension with the twist , the ROG Ally X is deserving about $ 100 more than the original ROG Ally , with $ 150 being the absolute maximum .
